Life Enjoyment and Heart Health
| Do you enjoy life? Is your life fun and rewarding? If it is, you may be less likely to experience a heart attack or stroke, so says a new study reported in the journal Circulation (medical journal for heart doctors). It appears that having fun in life and enjoying life is good medicine for the heart and circulation.
The study looked at the perceived level of life enjoyment in a large group of people living in Japan (over 88,000 people, aged 40+). All were in good health with no heart disease at the start of the study.
The researchers followed the group for 12 years to see who would have heart attacks or strokes. They then compared men who enjoyed life with those who didn't find life so fun. Those who didn't have much fun in life had a mortality level nearly double (relative risk of 1.91) that of those who enjoyed life the most (who found life pleasurable and fun). Stroke levels were also significantly higher (75 percent higher) in those with low perceived life enjoyment.
This is a good example of the mind-body connection. The thoughts we have affect our health to a larger degree than we realize. If you want to have good heart health, then take time to have some fun in life. Don't always worry about the problems in life. Relax. Lighten up. Take time to enjoy the many pleasures available every day – friends, good food, good music, a walk in the park, and other fun activities. You not only will enjoy life more but you will also be healthier and live longer. Part of a good, balanced lifestyle is taking time to relax and have fun. In the process, you may be preventing a heart attack or stroke.
Circulation. 120:956-963.
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